McLaren Withdraws From Australian Grand Prix Following Positive Confirmation Of Coronavirus Case

McLaren has opted to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix following the definite confirmation that one of the team members has the coronavirus.

The team member is one of three Formula 1 team members who were placed in isolation yesterday after coming down with flu-like symptoms. The other members were from the Haas team.

The result placed the opening Grand Prix of the 2020 Formula 1 championship into doubt. It has been under pressure from different quarters.

The FIA, along with Formula 1, claimed they were monitoring the situation, so this result should increase the momentum toward taking drastic measures.

McLaren issued a statement on Thursday in Melbourne claiming the decision to back out of the Australian Grand Prix was made with the intent of ensuring the safety of all their personnel and fans involved.

The team member is the first to have been confirmed in formula 1 to have the virus. The statement read the team member was tested and self-isolated as soon as they began to show symptoms.

The team claimed they prepared for the eventuality and gave ongoing support for the worker who entered a quarantine period.

Zak Brown, the CEO of the team and Andreas Seidl, the team principal, informed Formula 1, and the FIA concerning their decision today.

The implication is the decision was based on a duty of care. It is not just to the personnel and partners but also the competitors, fans, and the various stakeholders.

The other members from Haas who were tested because they showed flu-like symptoms thankfully returned negative results.

Other personnel in the F1 paddock who have not been identified, were also tested. The results were negative, as well.

The 2020 formula 1 Championship has gotten off to a rough start considering the Chinese Grand Prix was postponed, and the Bahrain government issued a ban on spectators for their Grand Prix event.

There is also mounting pressure from citizens in the county government and members of the public who are quite concerned about the push to go ahead with the Grand Prix.

A Grand Prix event typically means hosting tens of thousands of people in close quarters. All of these individuals could go on to spread the virus as they go from venue to venue.

Before the test results had come back, the deputy chief health of Victoria, Annaliese Van Diemen, had claimed if any were to return positive, their close contacts should be placed in immediate quarantine.

That would have a significant effect on the abilities of any team to function, considering the upcoming Grand Prix.